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Girlguiding Shropshire launch new challenge badge at Cosford

Published on: 30 March 2015

On Saturday 28 March, over 400 girls and leaders from Rainbow and Brownie groups across Shropshire took part in an event held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford to launch their brand new Fun ‘n’ Flight challenge badge. The badge which explores the wonders of flight through science, art and craft, whilst having fun at the same time will be available to all Girl Guide groups from May.

During the launch event, Rainbows (aged 5-7 years) and Brownies (aged 7-10 years) participated in nine fun and informative activities across the Museum site, to give them all the skills and information needed to successfully obtain their new badge.

Rainbows learnt all about the War as they stepped back in time to take part in a World War Two themed school lesson before taking part in a role play session in the Museum’s Lets Fly mock airport, taking on the role of passport control, customs and cabin crew.

Brownies were improving on their science skills as they worked together to build rockets cars before racing them across the hangar. Creative flying themed craft activities were enjoyed by all the youngsters, including; decorating and flying gliders; making mini bi planes using wooden pegs and lollypop sticks; and building rocket wands using card, crepe paper streamers and coloured sticks.

Girls explored the Museum’s interactive area Fun ‘n’ Flight - packed with hands on excitement; it’s the easy way to answer all those questions about how aircraft stay up in the air, before rounding off their visit with a ride on the Museums 4D Experience. A fun feature of the day was the chance to dress up in RAF uniforms and wartime clothing and pose for a photo in the selfie pod – a fun and fitting momento of the day.

But it wasn’t just fun and games for the youngsters, as part of their badge they must successfully complete their workbook as they wandered around the Museum. Following Saturday’s launch event, FREE challenge packs for Girlguiding groups will be available to download from the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org from May 2015, enabling groups from across the country to get their Fun ‘n’ Flight challenge badge.

County Commissioner for Shropshire Girl Guiding Association, Clare Shinton said: “Rainbows, Brownies and Guides gives girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities. Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK, with 553,633 members and over 100,000 volunteers; the Guide Association is active in every part of the UK.”

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager, Abi Betteridge said: “When we started planning this event, we hoped around 150 girls would attend, but to have more than double that, we were delighted. This just goes to prove that aviation is not just for boys and we were thrilled to welcome the girls to the Museum. We hope that the launch of the new badge will inspire Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Groups from other counties to visit us in the future to obtain the new Fun n Flight challenge badge.”

Due to the demand of the 1st launch event a second event is planned for Sunday 5th July and is open to any Girlguiding groups wishing to take part. Any Rainbow or Brownie groups who would like to participate in the next event can now book their place online through the Girlguiding website www.girlguidingshropshire.org.uk .

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